Package-making machine



Nov. 12, 1.935. A. e. ROSE PACKAGE MAKING MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm M Nov. 12, 1935. I A, G, 055 Q m 2,021,091

PACKAGE MAK I NC: MACHINE Filed Aug. 16, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 12, 1935. A. G. ROSE PACKAGE MAKING MACHINE 3 She ets-Shet 3 Filed Aug. 16, 1954 Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES gonna 7 2,021,091 PACKAGE-MAKING MACHINE Alfred German Rose, Gainsborough, England, assignor to Rose Brothers (Gainsborough) Limited, Gainsborough, England, a British com- Application August 16, 1934, Serial No. 740,108 In Great Britain June 15, 1933 9 Claims.

This invention relates to package-making machines of the kind wherein each article of a succession of articles is fed by means of a pusher along a rectilinear path, a wrapper (of paper or similar material) isfed into the path of travel of said article and pusher, adhesive is applied to portions of the wrapper, folding means cooperate with the forward travelling movements of the article and wrapper to fold the wrapper about the article into an open-ended pouch, and other folding means fold rearwardly-projecting fiaps of the pouch in so as to enclose the article completely within the wrapper and form a package.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved machine of this kind incorporating certain novel features of construction and operation in order to render the machine more simple and more reliable and efficient in operation at a higher speed than prior machines of this kind.

According to the present invention a packagemaking machine comprises in combination a horizontal rectilinear channel-shaped runway, means for feeding a wrapper in a plane transverse to the length of the runway into a position in which it is adjacent one end of the runway and substantially symmetrical with respect thereto, a device for applying adhesive to the paper, means for feeding an article into alignment with the runway and t the side of the wrapper remote from the runway, a pusher,

means for moving the pusher, with the article and wrapper, along the runway, and folding devices provided in the runway to fold the wrapper into an open-ended pouch about the article.

According to a feature of the present invention, the adhesive-applying device comprises a pair of sectors mounted to rotate about an axis, which is preferably horizontal, parallel to the plane of the wrapper and transverse to the direction, which is preferably vertical, in which the wrapper is fed to engage the wrapper on their peripheries and apply adhesive to it as it is fed into position and means for supplying adhesive to the peripheries of the sectors. Preferably the sectors are driven and there are provided rollers mounted opposite them on the other side of the plane of the wrapper to co-operate with them in feeding the wrapper into position. I

According to another feature of the present invention there is provided a corrugating device through which each wrapper is fed on its way to the position in alignment with the runway and which is ar a g to p ce al c va wave-like corrugations in the wrapper, so as to impart .a certain degree of stiffness to the wrapper and enable it to support itself in position opposite the runway,

Preferably the corrugating device comprises two rows of corrugating elements which rows are arranged one on each side of, and parallel to, the plane in which the wrappers move and extend transversely to the direction of movement of the wrapper and each of which elements ex- 10 tends across said plane from its side thereof and is opposite a gap between the elements of the other row. With this arrangement as a wrapper is fed between the two rows of elements portions of it are pressed by the elements out of its general plane so as to produce shallow, wave-like corrugations in it. Means may be provided for feeding a continuous web of wrapping material through the corrugating device and severing means may be provided for severing the portion of the wrapper material that has passed the corrugating device from the web, to form a wrapper. Owing to the corrugations in it the severed web is more or less self-supporting.

According to yet a further feature of this invention, an adhesive-applying device may be provided for applying adhesive to one surface of a rearwardly-projecting flap of the wrapper as the latter is fed along the runway.

The present invention also includes a machine which is provided with a vertical transfer channel, a supporting device normally located near the lower end of the transfer channel in position to, receive an article and its wrapper delivered along the runway and to raise the article when completely wrapped into the transfer channel and means for folding rearwardly-projecting flaps of the wrapper in while the article is supported on the supporting member.

A preferred embodiment according to the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 1d together form a side elevation of a package-making machine according to this invention, with one side frame removed,

Figure 2 is a section along the line 2--2 of Figures l and la,

Figure 3 is a section along the line 33 of Figure 1, and w Figures l, 5, 6, '7 and 8 show various stages in the formation of a single package by the machine.

Like reference characters indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The machine comprises a main cam-shaft It] (Figure 1) on which a gear-wheel H is secured. This gear-wheel meshes with a gear-wheel l2 secured on a shaft l3. A crank [4 is secured on this shaft and is connected by a link i 5 to a lever (Figure la), the upper end of which is pivoted on to a block IT. The block ll moves in horizontal guides 18. At its lower end the lever I6 is pivoted on a link 19 which, in turn, is pivoted on a fixed stud 26. As the shaft l0 rotates, the block ll is reciprocated horizontally along the guides 18: The block ll carries a pusher 2 I.

Referring to Figure 2, a succession of articles A are fed one at a time along a track 23 by a plunger 22 .into the path of 'movement of the pusher 2|.

' A continuous web of wrapping material 2A (Figure l) is fed downwardly by feed rollers 25 which are driven in any suitable manner. After leaving the feed rollers the web 24 passes through a corrugating device which is shown in Figures l and 3. This device comprises a guide chute having a front plate 26 and a rear plate 2'! which are secured together by screws and are supported by rods 28 on suitable pillars 29. As shown in Figure 3, the guide plate 25 is formed with two ridges 39 and the guide plate 21 with three ridges 3|. As indicated in Figure 1, the ridges 30 are opposite the gaps between the ridges 31 and vice versa,

The free edge of each ridge extends across the general plane of the wrapper sothat, as seen in Figure 1, the edges of the ridges overlap. As the wrapper passes through this device, shallow, wave-like corrugations will be given to it so as to impart a certain amount of longitudinal stiffness to it.

sever the wrapper and the severed portion moves downward until arrested by a stop 35. The severed portion orwrapper W is then in the position shown in Figures 1 and 4. As the wrapper W moves down to this position, gum'or other adhesive is applied to it at the position marked G in Figure 4. The mechanism by which the adhesive is applied will now be described;

The shaft !3 carries a sprocket-wheel 35 which by a chain 3'! drives a shaft 38 This shaft 38 carries a gear-wheel 39 which meshes with a gear-wheel 4!]. The gear-wheel 40 meshes with a V gear-wheel 4| which issecured on a shaft 42. This shaft carries a pair of sectors 43 which engage the outer surface of a wrapper'W as the latter moves downward and apply the gum to it. The sectors 43 press the wrapper against rollers 45. which are carried on a shaft 45; This shaft carries a gear-wheel 46 which meshes with the gear-wheel M so that the sectors 43 and rollers 44 rotate in synchronism and serve to feed the wrapper W downwards against the stop .35 after it has been severed from the web.

The gear-wheel 4|] is secured to a gum-roller 4? which picks up gum from a trough 48 and 7 applies it to the peripheries of the sectors 43.

against thewrapper and to feed both the article and the wrapper into a rectilinear runway 45.

The upper and lower portions of the wrapper are folded against the top and bottom surfaces of the article by the upper and lower lips 50 and 5| of g the runway and at the same time the vertical flaps of the wrapper projecting from each side of the leading surface of the article are folded inwrapper is folded about the article as shown in Figure 5.

As the incomplete packagemoves further into the runway, the laterally-projecting portions 54 (Figure 5) of the lower part of the wrapper are folded upwards against the article by edges 53 of the side walls of the runway. This brings the gummed surface to the outside of the package and against the sides of the article. As the incomplete package moves further along the runway the upper laterally-projecting flaps 55 (Figure 5) are folded downwardly by edges 56 (Figure 1) of the runway so as to overlie the previously folded flaps 54. The gum on theflaps 54 serves to retain the flaps 55 in position. The package is now in the state shown in Figure 6 and com prises an article enclosed in a pouch which is open at its rear end. 1 r The shaft 38 carries three gum-applying arms 51 (Figures 1 and 2) which rotate constantly and pick up gum from the gumming-roller 41. These arms reach through a suitable opening in the floor of the runway 49 and apply gum to thelower surface of the lower rearwardly-extending flap of the package which at this timeis in the condition shown in Figure 6. This flap thus receives three spots of gum.

The article is fed completely through the runway 49 and is delivered on to a supporting member 58 and into the lower end of a vertical transfer channel 59.

The next operation is to fold in rearwardly-extending side flaps 60 (Figure 6). This is effected by a pair of. folding elements 6| which are formed on the ends of folding arms 62 and 63. These arms are pivoted on spindles 64 and 65 and. are formed with inter-geared sectors 66 so that they will rock together towards or away from one another. The arm 62 is-secured to the spindle 64, the lower end of which carries an arm 6! which ispressed by a suitable spring against a cam 58 secured on the shaft Ill. After the package has 7 5 been moved on to the supporting member 58, the cam 58 causes the arms 62' and-63 to rock together so that the folding elements G l engage and tuck in the. flaps 65 as shown in Figure. 7

A lower projecting flap 69 (Figure '7) is next folded in by a folding member 10 (Figure 1) which is provided on the upper end of a link ll.

This. linkis supported at its upper end by a link to 7 T2 and at its lower end by a lever 13 which is pivoted on. a shaft 14. a lever 15 which is pressed by a suitable spring (not shown) against a-cam 16 on the shaft it.

After the side flaps 60 (Figure 6) have been fold ed in by the member Bl (Figure 2) the cam 16' causes the levers l5. and 'it to rock and raise the The lever 73 is rigid with link H and folding element 19 so that this ele ment engages and. folds in the lower projecting flap 59 (Figure 7)., l g

It will be seen from Figure 1 that the cam 16 is so shaped that the folding element TE! will pause in its upper position. While this element is paus-' ing,;a cam "causes a lever 18 to rock about the shaft 14. This lever is secured to a lever 18 on which the supporting member 58 is carried. The member 58 is supported for parallel movement by the lever 19 and a link 88. Thus, while the folding element 18 is still raised, the package will be raised by the member 58 upwardly in the transfer channel 58. During this movement an upper projecting flap 82 (Figure 7) Will be engaged and folded inwardly by the lower edge 8| of one wall of the transfer channel 59. This flap 82 will be held in position by the gum which was applied by the members 5! to the lower, and now outer, surface of the flap 69.

It is necessary to support the package in the transfer channel 59 while the pusher 2|, which has now moved back to the position of Figure 1, feeds a new incomplete package on to the supporting member 58 which will now be lowered. This is done by two ledges 83 (Figure 2) which are carried by arms 84 and 85. These arms are mounted on spindles 86 and 81 and are interconnected by gear-sectors 88 so as to rock towards or away from one another. The spindle 8'! carries a lever 89 which engages a cam 98. Immediately before the supporting member 58 commences to rise, the arms 84 and 85 are rocked apart so as to move the ledges 83 clear of the throughway in the transfer channel 59 and allow of the package being raised. As soon as the member 58 reaches its uppermost position, the

- arms 84 and 85 are rocked together by the cam 98 so as to bring the ledges 83 into the throughway of the transfer channel and immediately below the newly-completed package which is thus supported when the supporting member 58 again moves downwards. From Figure 2 it will be observed that the supporting member 58 is cut away at 9! on each side in order that the ledges 83 may be moved under the newly-completed package. The ledges move into the cut-away portions 9|.

The term adhesive is used herein to include Water or a solvent. Water may be used when the wrapper is already provided with a dry coating of gum and a solvent may be used when the wrapper is made of or coated with a material such as a cellulose derivative which will adhere to itself when moistened with the solvent. For pyroxylin a mixture of alcohol and ether may be used for moistening the wrapper, while for cellulose acetate a suitable moistening agent is aniline or pure acetic acid. These are given merely by Way of example, as suitable solvents will be known to those skilled in the art for use with other materials used for the wrapper.

I claim:

1. A package-making machine comprising a horizontal runway, means for feeding an article along the runway, a pair of corrugating members located above the runway and comprising oppositely projecting overlapping portions, means for feeding a web of wrapping material downwardly between the corrugating members in a plane transverse to the length of the runway, a knife arranged to sever the web below the corrugating members to form a Wrapper, a stop located below the runway to arrest downward movement of the severed wrapper when it is in the path of the article along the runway, a pair of sectors mounted below the runway to turn about a horizontal axis to engage one surface of the wrapper, a cooperating pair of rollers to engage the other surface of the wrapper, means for rotating the sectors and rollers to feed a wrapper against the stop, means for supplying adhesive to the sectors, and folding elements adjacent the runway for folding the wrapper about the article.

' 2..A package-making machine comprising means for folding a wrapper into an open-ended pouch about an article, a support having a cut away portion at each side, means for feeding the article, enclosed in the wrapper, on to the support, a pair of end-folding members mounted to move towards one another across the unenclosed face of the article, means for moving said members together after the article is positioned on the support and then to separate them, a third end-folding member mounted to reciprocate across the said unenclosed end of the article, means for moving the third end-folding member across said face, after the first two end-folding members have been separated, a vertical transfer-channel located above the support, means for raising the support to transfer the wrapped article into the transfer-channel and then lowering the support, a supporting ledge at each side of said transfer channel movable from the cut away portions in the support and from the supporting position within the transfer channel below the raised position of the support to an inoperative position outside the transfer-channel and actuating means for the supporting ledge operating in timed relation to the raising and lowering of the support for moving the ledge from its supporting position to its inoperative position before the support is raised and to restore it to its supporting position while the support is still raised.

3. A package-making machine comprising means for folding a wrapper into an open-ended pouch about an article, a support, means for feeding the article, enclosed in the wrapper, on to the support, a pair of end-folding members mounted to move towards one another across the unenclosed face of the article, means for moving said members together, after the article is positioned on the support, and then to separate them, a third end-folding member mounted to reciprocate acrossthe said unenclosed end of the article, means for moving the third end-folding member across said face, after the first two endfolding members have been separated, a vertical transfer-channel located above the support, means for raising the support to transfer the wrapped article into the transfer-channel and then lowering the support, a pair of supporting ledges on opposite sides of the transfer channel, means for simultaneously removing the ledges from a normal position within the transfer-channel at the uppermost level of the support before the support is raised and for simultaneously moving the ledges toward each other into normal position while the support is in its uppermost position, the top of the support being cut away to permit the ledges to nest therewith beneath an article on the support.

. 4. A package-making machine comprising a horizontal runway, means for feeding a wrapper in a plane transverse to the length of the runway into a position in which it is adjacent one end of the runway, a device for applying adhesive to the wrapper, means for feeding an article into and along the runway, folding devices provided in the runway to fold the wrapper into an open: ended pouch about the article, a pair of adhesiveapplying arms mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis below the runway in position to engage the wrapper as it passes along the runway, means for so rotating the arms in synchronism with the passage of an article along the runway that they engage the rear portion ofthe lower surface of the wrapper, and'means for supplying adhesive to the arms. V I

5. A package-making machine comprising a horizontal runway, means for feeding an article into and along said runway, means for feeding a wrapper in a vertical plane transverse to the length of the runway in a vertical direction into operative position in the path of the article entering the runway, a stop for positioning the wrapper in said operative position, rotatable adhesive-applying means mounted adjacent the wrapper to engage the same when adjacent said operative position and feed the same against said stop, and folding devices adjacent the runway to fold. the Wrapper about the article as it passes along the runway.

6. A package-making machine comprising a runway, means for feeding an article into and along said runway, meansfor feeding a wrapper transversely to'the length of the runway into operative position in the path of the article entering the runway, a stop for positioning the wrapper in operative position, a pair of adhesive-applying sectors rotatably mounted adjacent the path of the wrapper so as to contact with thewrapper and feed the same against said stop, means for rotating the sectors, means for supplying adhesive to their peripheries, and folding devices adjacent the runway for folding the wrapper about the articles as they pass along the runway.

'7. A package-making machine comprising a horizontal runway, means for feeding an article into and along said runway, means for feeding a wrapper in a vertical plane transverse to the runway and in a vertical direction intooperative position in the path of the article along the runway, a stop for positioning the wrapper in said operative position, a rotatable adhesive-applying device mounted to turn about a horizontal axis on one side of the path of the wrapper, wrapperengaging means rotatably mounted on a parallel axis on the other side of said path in position to cooperate with said rotat-able device in feeding the wrapper into said operative position, means for rotating said adhesive-applying device, and folding devices adjacent the runway for folding the wrapper about the articles as they pass along 5 the runway.

8. A package-making machine comprising a runway, means'for feeding an article into and along said runway, means for feeding a wrapper transversely to the lengthof the runway into op- 10 erative position in the path of the article entering the runway, a pair of adhesive-applying sectors rotatably mounted on one side of the path of t .e wrapper, wrapper-engaging 'means rotatably mounted ona parallel axis on the other side of said path in position to cooperate with the sectors in feeding the wrapper into operative position, a stop for positioning the wrapper in operative position, means for rotating said sectors so as to pass out of engagement with the wrapper 20 immediately subsequent to the positioning of the wrapper against said stop, and folding devices adjacent the runway for folding the wrapper about the article as it passes alongthe runway.

9. A package-making machine comprising a runway, means for feeding an article into and along said runway, means for feeding a. wrapper transversely to the length of the runway into operative position in the path of the article entering the runway, a device for applying adhesive to the wrapper, folding devices provided in the runway to'fold the wrapper into an open-ended pouch about the article, a rotary adhesive-applying device beneath the path of travel along the runway and operable to apply adhesive to a rearwardly projecting flap of the wrapper in passing along the runway, and additional folding means for folding the rearwardly-extending flaps of the pouch folding first the flap to which the adhesive 40 has been applied. 7 V

ALFRED GERMAN ROSE. 

